Businesses sending and receiving cargo from Europe will now have a weekly scheduled service through European West Indies Lines (EWL).

The service will provide access to 18 destinations throughout the Caribbean, and South and Central America.

Speaking at a ceremony to announce the launch, Marketing Director, John Fernandes Ltd, Bernie Fernandes, whose company is the local agent for EWL said the service was being realised after nearly six months of study and preparations.

According to Fernandes, EWL, which has been bringing cargo to Guyana since 1985, is to introduce a weekly feeder vessel, "EWL Trinidad" to shuttle cargo from Guyana and Suriname.

Because of the initiative it is anticipated that companies will be able to better plan their business, and lower lead time when placing orders thereby improving cash flow. They should also be able to make smaller and more frequent shipments on a weekly basis as opposed to fortnightly. It will also assist in the push to export seafood to Europe.

Costs will not be a factor as shipping rates are set to remain the same at somewhere in the region of US$900 per container.

According to Fernandes the only thing that will periodically affect rates is the cost of fuel, and fluctuations in the exchange rates, at which time a bunker charge is added or removed.

EWL, whose head office is located in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and which has offices in Barbados, Suriname and Venezuela among other regional destinations, operates its services through the chartering of vessels.

Among those likely to benefit are those companies which export fish, scrap metal, rice, lumber, soap and heart of palm, said Fernandes.